Pregnancy comes with a host of uncomfortable aches and pains. One of the most common complaints involves your symphysis pubis joint, which is located in front of the pubic bone. The condition also known as pelvic girdle pain PGP. In other words, the pubis symphysis is a cartilaginous joint located between the right and left sides of the pubic bone.
This hormonal change causes ligaments around the symphysis pubis to become stretchy, soft, and relaxed. In turn, the symphysis pubis can become unstable, leading to pain in some women.
Note that in its most severe form, SPD can lead to an actual separation of the pubic bone. The pelvic and hip pain can be extremely painful in this situation. But Dr. Hill says pubic bone separation is uncommon, occurring in less than 1 percent of pregnancies. Anyone can develop SPD, but certain factors increase your risk.
According to Dr. Hill, these include prior injury to the pelvis, having a large baby , a history of symphysis pubis dysfunction, and excessive weight gain. Excessive weight gain puts even more stress on the pelvis, potentially exaggerating SPD symptoms. Shaheed adds that bad posture can also worsen SPD pain during pregnancy. Symphysis pubis dysfunction is usually localized in the pelvic region, although it can spread to the legs, hips, or back.
It can occur both at the front and back of your pelvis. SPD is also sometimes referred to as pelvic girdle pain. In some, the pain may be so severe that it affects mobility. The symptoms of SPD can vary for different people, both in terms of severity and presentation. The most commonly experienced symptoms are:. The pain sometimes travels to your thighs, and you might also hear or feel a grinding or clicking sound in your pelvis.
It might also be challenging to widen your legs. This can make daily tasks such as getting out of bed, getting dressed, or getting in and out of a car difficult. The most common cause of SPD is pregnancy. During pregnancy, hormones such as relaxin are released to loosen the ligaments and muscles in your:.
This loosening is intended to increase your range of motion in order to help you give birth, but it also means that your joints can become unbalanced and more mobile than they usually would be. This can cause discomfort or pain. Although this slackening is intended to help with birth, sometimes you can start producing these hormones in early pregnancy. The symptoms of SPD tend to worsen as the pregnancy progresses. Other causes of SPD range from pelvic injuries to conditions like osteoarthritis.
Early diagnosis can be really helpful in managing SPD. However, chronic pain can lead to sadness or even depression, which is sometimes thought to negatively affect your baby. A physiotherapist can provide manual therapy to ensure that the joints in your pelvis, spine, and hips move normally. A separated pubic symphysis can take 3 to 8 months to heal on its own. For most women with this condition, pain or discomfort lingers for about 2 months after childbirth.
During childbirth, pressure from the baby's head can fracture the coccyx, or tailbone. A fractured coccyx can be quite painful and symptoms can take months to subside. Many women gain relief after about 2 months of physical therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , and ice.
If your pain is severe and prolonged, talk to your health professional about pain medicine. Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
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